Turnstile



Aug. 22, 1939.

Filed July 18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR5 A z- 1939- H. A. GERVSBACH ET AL 2,170,192

TURN STILE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 22, 1939 PATENT OFFICE TURNSTILE Herbert A. Gersbach, Flushing, and Daniel R. Bacon, Craigsville, N. Y., assignors to Perey Manufacturing Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application July 18, 1936, Serial No.- 91,308

21 Claims.

. This invention is concerned with turnstiles or rotary gates having a spaced arm construction such as are used at'entrances or exits for sub- Ways, amusement parks and places of similar character. To meet the requirements in the manufacture an'duse of such devices it is necessary that they present among other characteristics that of being economical to manufacture, attractive inappearance, possess considerable strength but be of'light weight, provide ample space for a patron, including baggage or other large articles,

' out the and also be effective to prevent passage therethrough except in the manner intended, as for example, in one direction only or restricted to release by a coin or token.

A particularly troublesome matter in connection with these spaced arm constructions is the fact that .persons often become fast or locked therein through careless or inadvertent operation, or through some defect developing in the mechanism. This condition frequently arises in the case of children attempting to crawl through the'barrier.

Under various previous conditions of construction' and operation it has proven in many instances to be a diflicult matter to extricate the person without great inconvenience or in fact injury to such person. Circumstances have made it necessary in many instances completely to disassemble the turnstile, including the supports, or

" tocut away the gate parts, involving considerable delay and serious effects on the person caught therein, and expense of repairing the mechanism, with all the attendant delays and inconvenience to traflic.

;,The present invention has among its objects the-remedying of such a condition, and in acc'ordance with its principles of construction the arms are so mounted as to enable one or more arms-to be quickly and easily removed and withnecessity of disturbing the assembly as a whole. .This has the further and more general advantage of enabling the ready replacement of individual arms which may have become damaged in such manner. V These same principles of construction present further and particularly advantageous features in connection with economy and ease ofmanufacture and simplicity of design. A factor of major importance in'attaining the above and other objects is the provision of an individual arm bracket, which may be standard and utilized in plural numbers throughout the turnstile constriiction and likewise employed-in the turnstiles of varying size including height. The brackets are so designed as to be capable of use in groups or sets to support at a common joint a plurality of arms in ahorizontal plane in accordance with normal requirements in turnstile constructions. The brackets are of s'uch'sh'ape and construction as to cooperate in a complemental fashion, each turnstile arm being supported in an opening provided by complemental leg portions of two adjacent brackets.

These groups or sets of arm brackets are secured in vertical spaced relation on vertical plates adapted to conform with the contour of the brackets. The brackets and plates are so arranged as to receive clamping bolts for simultaneously and rigidly securing the arms in the 15 openings and the plates to the brackets, the various elements and their manner of association combining to form a very rigid central post construction. The 'above advantages are accomplished without sacrifice of strength, and in fact the construction results in. added strength while remaining of exceptionally light weight.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious. and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of which invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a general organizational view depicting a type of turnstile in which the invent on is incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view taken on. a horizontal plane through the center of the rotary gate with certain partsbroken away better to disclose the various shapes and elements;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a section of the central portion of the rotary gate;

Fig. 4a is a further view in perspective disclosing further details of the central arm supporting brackets;

Fig.- 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but disclosing an embodiment of the invention in a four wing turnstile;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one. of the arm brackets of the construction of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing an application of the principles of the invention to a rotary gate having arms of circular cross-section; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical view of the form of construction shown in Fig. '7.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a typical turnstile or rotary gate which embodies the principles of the invention. Certain of the features of this construction as depicted generally in Fig. l are more or less conventional and subject to variation, forming no part of the present invention. The general features of the turnstile in Fig. 1 comprise a stationary cage or frame including a segmental portion made up of the vertical bars H3 extending for a suitable angle around the axis of the turnstile, a post ll carrying the fixed barrier arms E2, and an overhead canopy and support 63. This fixed frame construction is suitably supported at the base. Mounted to rotate in the frame construction is the turnstile or rotary gate indicated generally by the reference character it, which gate includes a central supporting means l5 and arms is projecting radially therefrom. An upper rotary bearing support for the turnstile is provided in the cap plate it, such supporting means including a flange member ll, secured in any suitable manner to the upper end of the central post means of the turnstile. A similar supporting means I8 is provided at the bottom. of the turnstile, the bearing in this case being designed to support the weight of the turnstile as well as to receive the radial thrusts. The general characteristics only of the turnstile frame construction are disclosed, it being understood that normally there will be associated with the turnstile suitably auxiliary mechanism dependent upon the particular purpose for which it is to be used, as for example if it is a one-way rotating turnstile it will be provide-d, at preferably the upper end of the central post, with a one-way operating clutch of any suitable design. Additionally it may be coin or token controlled, as by suitable mechanism cooperating with the lower end of the rotary post. Various other features may be included, such as a foot-guard is suspended on the lowermost radial arm of each vertical row of such arms. A pair of stationary arms I20, may be provided at the space between the two bottom radial arms of the turnstile as an additional safety feature against children crawling therethrough, for example.

The rotary gate as. illustrated, for example, in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is of a three wing construction comprising three vertical rows of arm-s located at 120 degrees from each other around the central post 55. Such a construction has the advantage of providing larger spaces for the patrons, enabling them to pass therethrough at a fast full stride, even though encumbered with voluminous packages or bags, and the speed of operation is enhanced by the fact that a three wing construction is of light weight, free of action, and easier to accelerate. A further feature is the type of arms employed comprising, as here shown, tubes of square cross-section of exceptional strength, attractive in appearance and which cooperate with the particular arm bracket mechanism to be described to result in a very rigid, strong con.- struction capable of maintaining the arms in exact alignment, free from any s-aggingor bending thereof. The unique and particularly advantageous features of the present construction. comprise the bracket and center post construction, details of which may be seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.. These figures disclose a common join-t,

supporting three arms in a horizontal plane, and. comprised of three brackets indicated by the reference characters 22, 23 and 24, in Figs. 2 and 4, which brackets, however, may be identical in construction. It will be observed that, as successively arranged around the axis, the brackets are complemental to each other. Referring to Fig. 4, for example, the bracket 22 comprises two radially projecting legs 25 and 26 arranged at a suitable angle to each other, in this case 120 degrees. The leg 25 is provided with a lower flange portion 27 and a vertical flange portion 28 integral therewith, and in the leg 26 the horizontal flange portion 29 is located at the upper edge of the vertical flange. With such a construction it will be observed that the adjacent legs of successive brackets cooperate to present a square radial opening adapted to receive a turnstile arm. Each bracket is so proportioned with respect to the other brackets that they do not quite contact at their adjacent edges, thereby leaving a space insuring that the clamping bolt arrangement, when applied, will serve to draw the parts: firmly down upon the surfaces of the square arms, while at the same time substantially enveloping and interlocking with the square section of the arms.

Each bracket is strengthened at the central part thereof connecting the two radial leg portions by inwardly projecting flanges at both the upper and lower edges thereof, such a projecting flange for the bracket 24 being shown at 3| in Fig. 4, and the flange at the lower edge being shown at 32 in Fig. 2, wherein the upper part of the bracket 24 is broken away. This performs a very useful function, in that forces applied to the outer ends of the radial arms exert a powerful bending force upon the middle portions of these brackets by reason of the long leverage, which the present design is well adapted to withstand.

The several sets of arm supports are secured in spaced relation along vertical plates 33, 34 and 35, these plates being angular in horizontal cross-section, which in a three wing construction is 120 degrees and. conforms exactly with the outer surface of the respective arm brackets. Transverse bolts. 36 are inserted through the respective vertical plates and arm brackets and radial arm. In addition, for each pair of complemental bracket legs, there is a vertical clamping bolt 31 extending through the, corresponding horizontal ledges and the intervening radial arm. Preferably the bolt holes through the bracket parts are made slightly elongated or enlarged over the diameter of the clamping bolt in order to permit a ready assembly and a slight relative movement when the clamping bolt at right angles thereto is drawn down. It will beseen that by reason of the manner in which the brackets mate together and the clamping bolt arrangement the bracket arms will be securely clampedon all four sides, and simultaneously the horizontal sets of bracket arms will be securely clamped to the main vertical plates, the various parts cooperating to form a most rigid center post construction. If desired, the clamping bolts may be of a selflocking type thereby to prevent loosening of the construction under continuous usage. The arrangement disclosed has the particular advantage of enabling the quick removal of an individual arm without disturbing the whole turnstile assembly, and in fact it merely requires the loosening of the particular bolts applied to that arm. The construction is simple and economical of manufacture, the brackets being standard and of identical construction and there being no problem of aligning the various parts and bolt holes throughout a long center post construction. The vertical flanges of the brackets afford exceptional strength against the leverage forces exerted thereon, as for example, when a person steps on the outer end of an arm.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown a similar bracket and vertical plate construction for a four wing turnstile arranged degrees apart. Fig. 6 shows one of the four arm brackets 39 which, as in the case of the previous construction, are identical to each other, the successive brackets being shown in Fig. 5, at 39, 4!], 4| and 42. Each bracket comprises two legs arranged at an angle to each other, which in this case is 90 degrees and each leg has the vertical flange and is provided with the oppositely located horizontal flanges 43 and 44. The successive brackets are complemental to each other around the axis and function in a manner similar to that described in connection with the three wing construction. As shown in Fig. 6, the brackets are provided at the middle portion with the reinforcing flange portions 45 and 46. Four vertically extending plates 41 are arranged in the angle between the successively adjacent bracket legs and conform closely thereto. The clamping bolt arrangement is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

In Figs. 7 and 8 there is shown an arm bracket assembly arrangement for use in connection with turnstile arms of circular cross-section. A three wing turnstile construction is shown and accordingly there are three identical arm brackets 49 having complemental leg portions with arcshaped adjoining faces adapted to receive the circular turnstile arms. Vertically extending angle plates 50 similar to those shown at 33 in Fig. 4 are located in the angle between the radial legs of the arm brackets. The arm brackets 49 in this connection are provided with flat outer surfaces to insure a strong uniform contact with the vertical plates and enhance the rigidity of the central post construction as a whole. From the nature of the construction the middle portions 5| of the arm brackets adjoining the two leg portions are of increased area and provide, therefore, additional strength at this critical point.

Since the round turnstile arms are self-locating in the opposed arc-shaped faces of the bracket legs, a single horizontal bolt for each arm serves to clamp it in place.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described,

to receive the radial arms; vertically extending.

angle plates adapted to fit into the angle between adjoining vertical rows of arms; and means forsecuring thereto in spaced relation said sets of 5 arm supporting means and the corresponding arms.

. 2. In a turnstile having radial arms, a plurality of vertically spaced sets of arm supporting means, each set comprising a plurality of brackets arranged around the turnstile axis and each bracket having a radially extending portion complemental to a portion of the adjacent bracket, the two portions conjointly forming a radial opening adapted to receive one of the arms; vertical plates located in the angle between successive vertical rows of arms; and means for securing said arms and brackets to said plates.

3. A turnstile having vertical rows of radial.

arms, a plurality of vertically spaced sets of arms:

radial extensions between adjoining vertical rows of arms; and clamping bolts extending through each pair of said complemental radial extensions and the corresponding vertical plates.

4. A turnstile combining a central supporting means and a plurality of arms extending radially therefrom, said arms being arranged in vertically spaced series and there being a plurality of such series angularly spaced around said support, said central supporting means comprising a plurality of sets of angle members, the individual members of each set being arranged in complementary fashion to receive the respective inner ends of a plurality of arms; vertically extending plates of angular cross-section in a horizontal plane adapted to fit against said members in the angle between adjacent ones of said vertical, series of arms; and means at each set of mem-- bers for securing together said plates and the corresponding members and arms.

5. A turnstile combining a plurality of arms extending laterally from a central support and arranged in vertically spaced relation, said central support comprising a pair of complemental angle members for each arm and adapted to receive between them the inner end of the corresponding arm; a vertically extending plate at the central part of said turnstile; and means at substantially the inner ends respectively of each of said arms for securing together the plate and the corresponding arm and its pair of angle members.

6. A turnstile combining a series of vertically spaced arms extending radially from a central support, said central support comprising a pair of complemental angle members for each arm and adapted to receive between them the inner end of the corresponding arm; a vertically extending plate at the central part of said turnstile; and individual bolt means at substantially the inner ends respectively of each of said arms for securing together the plate and the corresponding arm and its pair of angle members whereby individual arms may be independently removed or inserted without disturbing materially the supporting means for the remaining arms.

7. A turnstile combining a plurality of arms extending laterally from a. central. support arranged in vertically spaced. relation, said cen" tral support comprising a pair of complemental angle members for each arm and adapted com.- binedly to encompass substantially the inner end of the corresponding arm; a vertical plate at the central part of said turnstile extending continuously along the series of arms; and means at substantially the inner ends respectively of each of said arms for securing together the plate and the corresponding arm and its pair of angle members.

8. In a turnstile a series of spaced radial arms and a corresponding series of complemental brackets, a pair of such brackets cooperati support each arm and jointly forming an opening extending radially thereof to receive end of a turnstile arm; a supporting member extending along said series of brackets and arms; and means for positively but removably securing the corresponding arm. in each of said openings and to said supporting member independently of the others.

9. In a turnstile a series of vertically spaced radial arms and a corresponding series of com- 1p1ementa1 brackets, pairs of such brackets cooperating to support each arm, each such pair fitting together to form an opening ettending radially thereof to receive the end of a turnstile arm; means for securing the corresponding arm in each of said openings independently of the others; a vertical plate extending along the series of pairs of brackets; and means for securing each of the respective pairs of brackets and the corresponding arm to said plate independently of the others whereby individual arms may be independently and readily removed or inserted without disturbing materially the other securing means.

10. In a turnstile having spaced arms projecting from a central supporting means, an arm supporting bracket secured to said supporting means having in horizontal projection radial arm receiving portions arranged at an angle to each other and having an overhanging inwardly projecting flange portion at substantially the vertex of the angle adapted to reinforce and strengthen the bracket at that point.

11. In a turnstile having spaced arms projecting from a central supporting means, a plurality of brackets arranged in sets along said supporting means, each said bracket having radial arm receiving portions arranged at an angle and having an overhanging flange extending inwardly toward the axis of the turnstile substantially at .the vertex of the angle of said portions, said brackets being arranged in complemental fashion, the adjoining radial portions conjointly forming an opening for receiving an arm.

12. In a turnstile having radial arms arranged in vertical rows, a plurality of vertically spaced sets of arm supporting means, each set comprising a plurality of independent but complemental brackets and each bracket provided with radial legs complemental to legs respectively or" the adjoining brackets, the adjoining faces being curved to receive therebetween the rounded surface of a turnstile arm, a. vertical member for supporting said sets and means for clamping together the complemental legs and for positively locking said arms and supporting sets on said. vertical member against rotary or vertical displacement.

13. In a turnstile having radial arms, a. bracket for supporting said arms comprising an integrally formed. member having legs projecting radially therefrom, one of said legs being formed with a lower horizontal flange and a vertical flange at an ar to said lower flange, and the other leg having an upper horizontal flange and a vertical flange at an angle to said upper horizontal flange.

14. In a turnstile having r 3. l arms, a bracket for supporting said a ms c icing an integrally formed member having radially extending legs, with a continuously extending vertical Wall forming parts of said legs respectively, one of said legs having an upper horizc gral with said vertical all, the other leg a lower horizontal flange vertical Wall, and an intermed e portion of said member between said legs listing an inwardly projecting portion.

15. In a turnstile a arms, said air being rectangular; in cross section, a series complements brackets for sup porting said arms, can 1 bracket having a radially extending no on right angled in cross section and cooperating wi h a complcmental right angled portion on an adjacent bracket to provide conjointly a rectangular opening for receiving therein an arm. means for c amping the arms in the respective openings, and means .for sup porting said brackets and arms.

16. In a turnstile a vertically extending supporting member at the central part thereof; a radial arm; a pair of complemental brackets arranged adjacent said member and providing conjointly a radial opening adapted to receive and support the inner end of said arm; and a bolt extending through said brackets, arm, and supporting member, adapted positively to clamp and lock said parts together.

17. A turnstile combining a plurality of arms extending laterally from the central support and arranged in vertically spaced relation, said central sup-port comprising a pair of complemental brackets for each arm providing conjointly a radial opening adapted to receive the inner end of an arm, a vertically extending member adjacent the axis of the turnstile extending continuously along the series oi arms, and means at substantially the inner end of each of said arms for securing together the corresponding arm and its pair of brackets and simultaneously securing the same to said vertical supporting member.

18. A turnstile combining a central support and arms extending radially therefrom and arranged'in vertically spaced groups, said central support comprising a series of vertically extending supporting mem ers angul rly spaced around the axis, a set of arm brackets for each said group of arms arr nged in successively complementary fashion around the axis adjacent ones of said brackets providing conjoihtly an opening for one of the arms, and clamping means for each arm extending therethrough and through the corresponding bracket portions and the adjacent vertical member.

19. A rotary turnstile comprising a vertically extending central supporting structure spaced a short distance from and around the rotary axis, a series of vertically spaced radial arms, complemental bracket members for each arm located adjacent the axis and inside of said supporting structure, and means for positively securing each arm to its cor esponding brackets and to the vertical supporting structure.

20. Ina turnstile having barrier arms rectan ular in Cl'GSS'rSQCti-OIl, complements-l brackets for supporting said arms, said brackets comprisof spaced radial ing a member having radially projecting legs at an angle to each other, one of said legs comprising a vertical wall portion and an integral horizontal portion at right angles thereto adapted to engage over and conform to one rectangular turnstile arm, and the other leg comprising a vertical wall and an integral horizontal portion adapted to engage under and conform to another like rectangular turnstile arm.

21. In a turnstile, rotary radial arms of angular cross section at the inner point of support, central supporting means therefor, and complemental brackets arranged in series around the axis of the turnstile for securing said arms on said support, each bracket comprising a. member having legs projecting radially therefrom, one of said legs being formed with an upper flange adapted to overlie the corresponding radial arm and a flange extending at an angle to said upper flange adapted to engage a side of the respective arm, and the other leg having a lower flange adapted. to underlie another radial arm and a flange at an angle thereto adapted to engage a side of such latter mentioned arm, the adjacent legs of successive brackets cooperating to provide conjointly a radial opening conforming substantially to the corresponding radial arm, and means for clamping said brackets to said central support and means for clamping said radial arms in the opening provided by the complemental legs of adjacent brackets including a bolt for drawing together the comp-lemental overlying and underlying flanges and a bolt arranged at an angle to said first bolt for drawing together the complemental side flanges.

HERBERT A. GERSBACH. DANIEL R. BACON. 

